In a recent episode of the popular talk show hosted by David Letterman, comedian Lisa Lampanelli made a memorable appearance, sharing some interesting anecdotes. Lampanelli, known for her sharp wit and fearless humor, left no stone unturned as she took the opportunity to express her dissatisfaction with the talk show’s music director, Paul Shaffer.
Lampanelli, whose middle name is Marie, began by discussing her disappointment in not receiving an invitation to Steve Martin‘s personal holiday party. She humorously revealed that she had managed to attend last year’s party through a culinary connection but had been left off the guest list this time. Lampanelli jokingly compared her treatment to being on the infamous “F list” while Kathy Griffin is on the “D list,” emphasizing her frustration at being excluded from the festivities.
When asked about her New Year’s celebration, Lampanelli hilariously responded that it “sucked.” She playfully commented on how she spent the evening at home with her husband, jokingly congratulating herself for being married for a year. Lampanelli, known for her quick comebacks, teased Letterman about it being their first meeting, saying, “I’ve only been in the business 21 years,” implying that it took him a while to discover her talent.
However, it was Lampanelli’s candid remarks about Paul Shaffer that caught everyone’s attention. She claimed that Shaffer had irked her during her first roast, which was for Chevy Chase. Lampanelli recounted how Shaffer introduced her by referring to her as the “female Don Rickles” and commented on her having a “younger-looking penis.” She hilariously criticized Shaffer’s trademark glasses and wardrobe, comparing his outfits to those of Michael Jackson’s chimp. Lampanelli’s humorous complaints about Shaffer’s attitude left the audience in stitches.
Moving on to another topic, Lampanelli revealed her Twitter mishap that cost her $50,000. The comedian had been tweeting about her shows when she discovered that the Westboro Baptist Church, known for their controversial beliefs, had planned to protest her performance due to her support for the LGBTQ+ community. In response, Lampanelli vowed to donate $1,000 to a gay cause for every protester who showed up. Ultimately, 50 protesters arrived, resulting in a donation of $50,000 from Lampanelli. She jokingly remarked that the positive outcome silenced people who usually called her fat on Twitter.
Aside from her comedic talents, Lampanelli also discussed her acting career, mentioning her role in an upcoming film by David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos. Lampanelli expressed her excitement about working with James Gandolfini, who she admired. She humorously shared how Gandolfini initially didn’t recognize her and mistakenly thought she was someone else. Taking a dig at his bald appearance, Lampanelli hilariously mentioned that she had mistaken him for Larry David.
On a lighter note, Lampanelli briefly spoke about her husband, Jimmy Big Balls, whose name she claimed was legally changed. She joked about the unfortunate reason behind the name change, but didn’t go into detail, leaving the audience and Letterman in laughter.
To wrap up the interview, Lampanelli mentioned her upcoming gig at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, scheduled for January 14th. She expressed her excitement about performing at the venue’s PE Theater and wished Letterman a happy New Year, concluding the lively and entertaining conversation.
With her sharp humor and fearless personality, Lisa Lampanelli proved once again why she is a force to be reckoned with in the world of comedy. Her candid remarks about Paul Shaffer, Twitter mishaps, and exciting acting opportunities left the audience laughing and eagerly anticipating her future endeavors.
